A computer system displays a user interface display with a user input mechanism that can be actuated in order to identify a set of resources, and corresponding capacities. A team configuration is stored in memory and reflects the configuration of the resources and corresponding capacities that were identified. A task dependency structure is obtained, and is indicative of an underlying project. Resources from the stored team configuration, and corresponding capacities, are assigned to the tasks in the task dependency structure and the team configuration is updated, in memory, to reflect the assignments. A display is generated that shows the state of the underlying memory, and that is indicative of a remaining capacity and a consumed capacity.
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1. A computing system, comprising: a processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: access a resource pool record in memory based on a user request; based on an indication of a resource capacity allocation user input, automatically select a resource allocation criterion; generate a resource capacity allocation in the resource pool record based on the selected resource allocation criterion; modify the resource pool record to include the resource capacity allocation; and generate a representation of a user interface element that represents the modified resource pool record, indicating the resource capacity allocation; in response to an indication of a resource selection input, select a resource that corresponds to the resource capacity allocation and add the selected resource to the resource pool record; identify a work breakdown structure, corresponding to the resource pool record, indicative of work to be performed; receive an indication of user actuation of a consumption user input mechanism and, in response, automatically consume resource capacity allocated, for the resource, to the resource pool record against the work breakdown structure; and for a particular resource role, determine a difference between the resource capacity allocated to the resource pool record and resource capacity consumed from the resource pool record; and based on the difference, automatically adjust the resource capacity allocated to the resource pool record by at least one of: automatically allocating an additional resource of the particular resource role to the resource pool record; or automatically releasing a resource allocation of the particular resource role from the resource pool record.
A computer system manages resource allocation within a project. The system accesses a resource pool, and based on user input, automatically selects criteria to allocate resource capacity. It then modifies the resource pool to reflect this allocation and displays it in a user interface. Upon resource selection, the system adds the selected resource to the pool. It identifies a work breakdown structure for the project, and when a user indicates consumption of resources, it automatically reduces the allocated capacity against that structure. The system tracks the difference between allocated and consumed capacity for each resource role and automatically adjusts allocations by adding resources if more are consumed than allocated, or releasing resources if less are consumed.
2. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the indication of the resource capacity allocation user input is received through a resource capacity allocation user input mechanism, and wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: based on the selection of the resource, automatically add the selected resource to the resource pool record and generate a representation of a user interface element that comprises a configuration of the resource pool record, indicating the addition of the selected resource.
Building upon the resource allocation system, user input to allocate resources is received through a user interface mechanism. When a resource is selected, it's automatically added to the resource pool. The system then displays a user interface element showing the updated resource pool configuration, including the newly added resource.
3. The computing system of claim 2 wherein the resource capacity allocation user input mechanism comprises: a human resource capacity allocation user input mechanism, and wherein the instructions configure the computing system to receive an indication of user actuation of the human resource capacity allocation user input mechanism and, in response, identify a characteristic of a human resource for which a resource capacity allocation is to be made to the resource pool record.
Further refining the resource allocation system, the user input mechanism for resource capacity allocation specifically handles human resources. The system receives input from a human resource capacity allocation mechanism and identifies characteristics of the human resource, such as skills or expertise, for which capacity is being allocated to the resource pool.
4. The computing system of claim 3 wherein the human resource capacity allocation user input mechanism comprises a role selection user input mechanism, and the instructions configure the computing system to receive an indication of user actuation of the role selection user input mechanism and, in response, select a role corresponding to the human resource.
Expanding on human resource allocation, the human resource capacity allocation mechanism includes a role selection input. The system receives input indicating the user's selection of a specific role (e.g., developer, tester) corresponding to the human resource being allocated.
5. The computing system of claim 4 wherein the human resource capacity allocation user input mechanism comprises a resource quantity user input mechanism, and wherein the instructions configure the computing system to receive an indication of user actuation of the resource quantity user input mechanism and, in response, select a number of instances of the selected role.
Continuing with role-based human resource allocation, the human resource capacity allocation mechanism includes a resource quantity input. The system receives input indicating the number of instances of the selected role (e.g., two developers, five testers) to be allocated.
6. The computing system of claim 4 wherein the resource capacity allocation user input mechanism comprises a time span user input mechanism, and wherein the instructions configure the computing system to receive an indication of user actuation of the time span user input mechanism and, in response, identify a time span over which the resource capacity allocated to the resource pool record, of the selected role, will be consumed.
In addition to role and quantity, the human resource capacity allocation mechanism also includes a time span input. The system receives input specifying the duration (e.g., one week, one month) over which the allocated capacity of the selected role will be consumed.
7. The computing system of claim 6 wherein the resource capacity allocation user input mechanism comprises an effort unit user input mechanism, and wherein the instructions configure the computing system to receive an indication of user actuation of the effort unit user input mechanism and, in response, select a total number of effort units needed for the resource capacity allocated to the resource pool record, of the selected role.
Further detailing the time-based resource allocation, the human resource capacity allocation mechanism incorporates an effort unit input. The system receives input indicating the total effort units (e.g., hours, story points) needed for the allocated resource capacity of the selected role during the specified time span.
8. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: update the resource pool record to identify the resource capacity consumed from the resource pool record.
The resource allocation system updates the resource pool record to specifically track and identify the amount of resource capacity consumed from the pool. This allows for monitoring resource utilization.
9. The computing system of claim 8 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: in response to the consumption of resource capacity allocated, for the resource, to the resource pool record against the work breakdown structure, automatically assign a permission to the resource to perform the work.
As a consequence of consuming resource capacity allocated to a resource against the work breakdown structure, the resource allocation system automatically grants the resource the necessary permissions to perform the work associated with that consumption.
10. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: receive an indication of user actuation of a resource search user input mechanism and, in response, automatically search resource information to identify the resource that corresponds to the resource capacity allocation.
The resource allocation system includes a resource search input. When a user activates this search, the system automatically searches resource information to identify resources that match the resource capacity allocation criteria.
11. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: automatically allocate an additional resource of the particular resource role to the resource pool record when the difference indicates that more resource capacity for the resources having the particular resource role has been consumed than has been allocated to the resource pool record for resources having the particular resource role.
The resource allocation system automatically allocates additional resources of a specific role when the consumed capacity for that role exceeds the allocated capacity in the resource pool. This ensures sufficient resources are available.
12. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: automatically release the resource allocation of the particular resource role from the resource pool record when the difference indicates that less resource capacity for the resources having the particular role has been consumed than has been allocated to the resource pool record for resources having the particular resource role.
The resource allocation system automatically releases resource allocations of a specific role from the resource pool when the consumed capacity for that role is less than the allocated capacity. This optimizes resource utilization.
13. The computing system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of work structures represent work on a plurality of different projects within the computing system and wherein the instructions configure the system to: aggregate resource information indicative of a total amount of resources allocated versus consumed on a per project basis and generate a representation of a user interface element that comprises the aggregated resource information.
The resource allocation system handles multiple projects and work breakdown structures. It aggregates resource information, showing the total amount of resources allocated versus consumed for each project, and displays this aggregated data in a user interface.
14. The computing system of claim 13 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to aggregate the resource information to be indicative of a total amount of resources allocated versus consumed on a per project, per resource basis and generate a representation of a user interface element that comprises the aggregated resource information.
Building upon multi-project support, the resource allocation system aggregates resource information showing allocated versus consumed resources on a per-project, per-resource basis. This provides a granular view of resource utilization across different projects.
15. A computer implemented method, comprising: access a resource pool record in memory based on a user request; based on an indication of a resource capacity allocation user input, automatically selecting a resource allocation criterion; generating a resource capacity allocation based on the selected resource allocation criterion; modifying the resource pool record to include the resource capacity allocation; and generating a representation of a user interface element that represents a first configuration of the resource pool record, indicating the resource capacity allocation; based on an indication of a user resource selection input, identifying a particular resource corresponding to the resource capacity allocation; automatically adding the particular resource to the resource pool record; and generating a representation of a user interface element that represents a second configuration of the resource pool record, indicating the addition of the particular resource; identifying a work breakdown structure, corresponding to the resource pool record, indicative of work to be performed; receiving an indication of user actuation of a consumption user input mechanism and, in response, automatically consuming resource capacity allocated, for the particular resource, to the resource pool record against the work breakdown structure; for a particular resource role, determining a difference between the resource capacity allocated to the resource pool record and resource capacity consumed from the resource pool record; and based on the difference, automatically adjusting the resource capacity allocated to the resource pool record by at least one of: automatically allocating an additional resource of the particular resource role to the resource pool record; or automatically releasing a resource allocation of the particular resource role from the resource pool record.
A computer-implemented method manages resource allocation. It accesses a resource pool, automatically selects allocation criteria based on user input, and allocates resource capacity accordingly. The method modifies the pool to include the allocation and displays it in a user interface. It identifies a resource, adds it to the pool, and updates the user interface. Using a work breakdown structure, the method consumes resource capacity when indicated by the user. Finally, it determines the difference between allocated and consumed capacity and automatically adjusts the allocation by adding or releasing resources based on the difference.
16. The computer implemented method of claim 15 and further comprising: updating the resource pool record to identify the resource capacity consumption.
The computer implemented method of managing resource allocation further updates the resource pool record to identify the consumed resource capacity, tracking how resources are used.
17. The computer implemented method of claim 16 and further comprising: in response to automatically consuming resource capacity allocated, for the particular resource, to the resource pool record against the work breakdown structure, assigning at least one permission to the particular resource to perform the work.
The computer implemented method of managing resource allocation grants a resource permissions to perform work when its allocated capacity is automatically consumed against the work breakdown structure. This automates access control.
18. The computer implemented method of claim 15 and further comprising: receiving an indication of user actuation of a resource search user input mechanism and, in response, automatically searching resource information to identify the particular resource corresponding to the resource capacity allocation.
The computer implemented method of managing resource allocation includes searching for resources corresponding to the resource capacity allocation when a user activates a resource search input.
19. A computing system, comprising: a processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: access a resource pool record in memory based on a user request; based on an indication of a resource capacity allocation user input, automatically select a resource allocation criterion; generate a resource capacity allocation based on the selected resource allocation criterion; and modify the resource pool record to include the resource capacity allocation; and generating a representation of a user interface element that represents the modified resource pool record, indicating the resource capacity allocation; in response to an indication of a resource selection input, select a corresponding resource, from a set of resources, that corresponds to the resource capacity allocation and add the corresponding resource to the resource pool record and generate a representation of a user interface element that comprises a configuration of the resource pool record, indicating the addition of the corresponding resource; identify a work breakdown structure, corresponding to the resource pool record, indicative of work to be performed; receive an indication of user actuation of a consumption user input mechanism and, in response, automatically consuming a portion of the resource capacity that is allocated, for the corresponding resource, to the resource pool record against the work breakdown structure; update the resource pool record to identify the consumption of the portion of the resource capacity that is allocated to the resource pool record; for a particular resource role, determine a difference between the resource capacity that is allocated to the resource pool record and the portion of the resource capacity that is consumed from the resource pool record; and based on the difference, automatically adjust the resource capacity allocation, of the resource pool record, by at least one of: automatically allocating an additional resource of the particular resource role to the resource pool record; or automatically releasing a resource allocation of the particular resource role from the resource pool record.
A computing system manages resource allocation. It accesses a resource pool, automatically selects allocation criteria based on user input, and allocates resource capacity accordingly, updating the resource pool. It selects a resource corresponding to the allocation and adds it to the resource pool, displaying the updated configuration. Based on a work breakdown structure, the system consumes resource capacity allocated to the resource when the user indicates consumption. The system updates the resource pool record to reflect consumption. It then determines the difference between allocated and consumed capacity and automatically adjusts the allocation by adding or releasing resources based on the difference.
20. The computing system of claim 19 wherein a plurality of work structures represent work on a plurality of different projects within the computing system and wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: aggregate resource information indicative of a total amount of resources allocated versus consumed on a per project basis and generate a representation of a user interface element comprising the aggregated resource information; and receive an indication of user actuation of a resource search user input mechanism and, in response, automatically search resource information to identify the set of resources corresponding to the resource capacity allocation and the resource search criterion.
In addition to managing resources, the resource allocation system manages a plurality of work structures representing work on multiple projects, aggregating resource information indicative of allocated vs. consumed resources on a per-project basis and displays it to a user. The system also includes searching resource information for a set of resources that matches the resource capacity allocation.
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April 17, 2015
August 1, 2017
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